Thread: function template question

Just started looking at these things and have a couple quick questions.

1) All the tutorials and the book I have use T as the argument name such as:

template<class T> ...

If I have several functions I want to use a template on can I use the same name for the template (T) for each of them or do they require seperate names?

2) Is there a way I can use template on a function for all types except a particular type which will have a different function defination (overloaded function)?

3) I have read that the template simply generates the needed object code to handle each type. Does it generate the code to handle each and every type, just the types used in the program, or just the types you have actually tried to use with that function? Or is this 100% compiler dependent?

Thanks

>>1) ...can I use the same name...for each of them or do they require seperate names?
The scope of the type-name follows similiar rules as for variables. For function templates, the scope is the same as it is for a local variable. The name of the type-name, in this case "T", follows the same naming rules as variables do - so you're not limited to "T"

>> 2) ...(overloaded function)?
Sure - the compiler will always try to match the function call to the appropriate function.

>> 3) ...or just the types you have actually tried to use with that function?
Correct (my quoted part anyways).
If you have a template function that isn't even called, the compiler isn't even required to compile it. This may not be what your compiler does, but VC++ 6.0 compiles the following with no errors or warnings:

Code:

#include <iostream>

template <class Type>
void foo(Type t)
{
    std::cout << t;
    
    "Gobble-Dee-Goo"
}//foo

int main()
{
    return 0;
}//main

gg

Thanks guys